The Rim Of Hell

For those of you who follow this blog regularly (both of you), you may remember that Comfest is one of the ‘must attend’ festivals for the wife and I every year. This year was no exception, spent all 3 days of last weekend soaking up some sun & having a few brewski’s while listening to the best local music Columbus has to offer.

Friday was kicked off by one of my fav’s, the Josh Krajcik Band on the main stage.  Had to take off a half-day to catch them as they played at 2:20pm but it was worth it.  Soulful & bluesy, how this guitarist with such an interesting, emotive voice has not become a nationally known act is beyond me (despite an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel a few years back).  I heartily encourage you to check out his Myspace page – although nothing compares to his live performance.

Saturday started with my annual volunteering at the beer booth (WHERE ELSE!?).  Love schleping the beer tokens and bestowing happiness on the unwashed.  Rocked out with Willie Phoenix at 7pm, who was the usual fireplug that I’ve come to expect from seeing him play out over 20 times. Crowd reaction was some of the best I saw all weekend and rightfully so. Great blues infused, 70′s style rock n’ roll.

Sunday morning made it down to the Offramp stage to watch Hells Fire Sinners do what they do best, playing bluegrass/punk with a metal chaser. Their following is growing, I’m happy to relate, with many a tattooed ne’er-do-well and snake wearing diva in attendance. No one else gathers such an eclectic crowd and no one left disappointed as Alan & Co. kicked it into high gear from beginning to end.

They were followed by Vegas 66, who took it up a notch from the last time I’d seen them. Accompanying Jimmy, Jeremy and Rex were two dancing hotties and a 3 piece horn section. Well honed rockabilly served up like a flame-striped Dodge Polara – check out some video from their Comfest performance on the linked Myspace.

Last noteworthy act of the day for me was the lovely (and now blonde) Lydia Loveless, who rocked & sang her heart out despite desperately needing a tuned guitar. Didn’t matter, she was still a feisty little charmer who always reminds me somewhat of Loretta Lynn. Check out her song ‘Paid’ off the Myspace link (or the video for ‘Jesus was a Wino’). You’ll get an idea of her abilities.

Sadly, another Comfest is now just a foggy memory for me. Saw a bunch of friends and got more text messages in 3 days than I will for the entire rest of the year (“hey man, I’m by the beer tent – WHERE ARE YOU?”). If ever you get the chance to wallow in the grass (no pun) alongside 20,000 modern hippies like this, I heartily recommend you take it. Still one of the best festival events I’ve ever been privileged to see.

Oh, and thanks to Corey on Meetup.com – who’s picture I stole for this post.